Sat Jan 12 01:09:58 2008

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Coyotes finally win in Vancouver

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Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Niko Kapanen's third-period goal proved to be the game-winner, as the Phoenix Coyotes snapped an 11-game winless streak at General Motors Place with a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.

Phoenix had not won in Vancouver since October 21, 2000.

Peter Mueller, Ed Jovanovski and Keith Yandle also scored for Phoenix, which has won six of its last seven. Ilya Bryzgalov finished with 17 saves.

Taylor Pyatt scored two goals and Ryan Kesler added another for the Canucks, who suffered a regulation loss at home for the first time since 3-0 setback against Nashville on November 1st, a span of 14 games (12-0-2). Curtis Sanford allowed four goals on 38 shots.

Kesler cut the deficit in half with a short-handed tally 38 seconds into the third. Alexandre Burrows carried the puck into the offensive zone and dished to Kesler at the right circle, who beat Bryzgalov on the stick-side.

Kapanen restored a two-goal lead, 4-2, with a backhander past the catching glove of Sanford at 3:29. Shane Doan collected the 300th assist of his career on Kapanen's tally.

Vancouver drew within one on Pyatt's second marker of the night. Daniel Sedin worked the puck behind the net to Henrik Sedin. Henrik Sedin then quickly centered it to Pyatt, streaking down the middle, and he tucked the puck past the right pad of Bryzgalov with 8:30 to play.

In the final minute of regulation, Sanford was pulled in favor of an extra attacker, but the Canucks failed to net the equalizer.

The Canucks got on the board first courtesy of the power play. Pyatt, positioned in the slot, tipped Alexander Edler's hard, low shot from the point up and over Bryzgalov at the 8:02 mark of the opening frame.

Phoenix tied the game with 4:27 remaining in the second period. Steven Reinprecht threw the puck out from behind the cage to Mueller standing at the left side of the crease and he lifted a perfect shot right underneath the crossbar.

In the waning moments of the middle frame, Phoenix scored a pair of power-play goals 10 seconds apart to pull ahead 3-1.

Jovanovski fired a wrister high over the glove of Sanford with 13 seconds left and then Yandle's slapper fooled Sanford with three seconds to play before intermission.

Game Notes

Vancouver had won five of the last six meetings coming into play...Doan extended his point streak to four games (one goal, four assists)...Vancouver begins a three-game road swing Sunday in St. Louis...The Coyotes conclude their four-game road trip on Sunday in Minnesota.